Chapter 37 Thirty-Seven

Chapter 37 Thirty-Seven
Sydney
“Yeah. We have a big apartment. You could have your own room.” Eric reached out to hold his arms. “We could get you more blocks, different kinds.”
Miles turned to me for a moment and I smiled at him. Eric cupped his cheeks in a way that was a little too natural.
“I promise.” He whispered. “I promise I’ll take care of you no matter what.”
He used I. Not we. He would be the one making that promise to take care of Miles no matter what. Miles’s eyes darted back at me and I managed another smile.
“I promise too..” I quickly added.
He looked back at his dad and gave the tiniest nod. “Okay.” He whispered.
How much torture had they put this kid through? How the hell do you teach a child to act this way?
Eric turned towards me, wrapping his arms around us, excitedly. “That’s wonderful, buddy! We’re going to be a family!”
Miles turned to me, his blue eyes staring at me so much that it made my skin prickle. Mrs. Darlington clapped excitedly and the boy flinched.
“Excellent! Well then, let me get the final paperwork together and we can begin the transition process today.”
I blinked. “Today? I thought the process typically takes two weeks…”
“Errr…yesss.” She stuttered, rubbing her hands. “For the final legal adoption, yes. But Miles can go home with you today for an extended visit while we process the remaining documentation.” She smiled nervously, glancing at Eric. “It’s…it’s actually better for the child you know? Helps him adjust gradually rather than the back and forth.”
I pursed my lips at her. She was already heading for the door, her shoes clicking against the marble. “It’s perfectly legal, I assure you. We have these emergency placement provisions.”
Emergency placement. They were trying to push this as fast as possible. Maybe so Eric could pressure me to transfer my rights to Miles and then kill me off.
“That’s perfect.” Eric smiled, standing up. “The sooner Miles can settle with us, the better. Don’t you think, babe?”
I glanced at the kid. He kept staring at me weirdly, blue eyes darting between my face and his cube. My heart hurt for him. Must be terrible to have a father so cruel that he was only using you as a tool for a scheme. Moving you from your mother and throwing you to some random woman.
“Yes.” I heard myself say, standing up. “Yes, that’s fine.”
“Alright, come with me to sign the paperwork if you may, Mr. Stanley. I’ll just ask one of the caretakers to help Miles pack up.”
She wasn’t staring at me this time, she was staring at Eric. He eagerly nodded and they walked off, taking Miles along. They clearly didn’t want me there. Probably because there was no caretaker and no paperwork. I should follow them so I could poke more holes in the arrangement but what was the point? They would only reschedule this and put this poor child through more trauma.
Sighing, I walked towards the coffee table, staring at the magazines. I was right. They were from this week. Definitely hadn’t been read. I chuckled, heading to the open window.
The grounds were empty. There was literally no play equipment outside. How was this an orphanage? What did the kids play with? There was no grass.
The door swung open and I turned. Eric entered, holding Miles who was now clutching a small backpack. It looked new, probably another one of the acting props that they had just bought.
The boy looked scared. Mrs. Darlington walked in, holding a folder. “It’s all done, Mrs. Stanley. Here are his medical records and the agreement. He’s all yours.”
All ours. No mention of any meetings or visitation with a social worker. Once again, I felt stupid for not realizing this earlier.
She handed the folder to me and I managed a smile, taking it. “Thank you, Mrs. Darlington.”
“My pleasure.” She smiled. Her eyes had some spark for the first time. She turned to the boy. “Miles, you be good for Mr. and Mrs. Stanley, alright? I’m sure you’ll be very happy.”
Miles looked at his shoes, saying nothing even though Eric was squeezing his wrist. Eric turned to me, flashing me a thin smile.
“Let’s go baby.”
I nodded, muttering a small goodbye to Mrs. Darlington as we went. Eric opened the back door of the Mercedes. He already had a child’s car seat installed. I’d barely noticed on our trip down here.
When had he installed it?
“Alright, buddy. Let’s get you buckled in.”
He reached for Miles who looked at me, his blue eyes wide. I smiled at him. It must be weird going with your father and a woman you’d never seen before at three.
“It’s okay.” I smiled at him. “I’ll sit back here with you, alright? We’ll ride together.”
I was reaching for his bag when Eric turned to me. “No. You’ll be driving. I need to stop at the office. There’s some work I need to handle before tomorrow morning.”
My hands tightened around the bag. “What? Eric we just picked up Miles. We should get home and get him settled and…”
“I know, I know but what choice do I have? Just take Miles home. I’ll get an Uber.” He leaned in, buckling the boy. “I promise, I’ll be back before dinner.”
He must think I was a fool. I mean I was. Didn’t I buy this crap before? I shook my head, letting out a sigh and that’s when I saw it.
A few feet away was a red car parked by the driveway. It was the same car that had been there the last time.
Kara’s car.
What an absolute bastard.